12.346
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अथ तेन नरश्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणेन तपस्विना। निराहारेण वसता दुःखितास्ते भुजङ्गमाः ॥१२-३४६-१॥
Then, O best of men, those serpents became distressed by the presence of the brāhmaṇa ascetic who was dwelling there without food. (12-346-1)
सर्वे सम्भूय सहितास्तस्य नागस्य बान्धवाः। भ्रातरस्तनया भार्या ययुस्तं ब्राह्मणं प्रति ॥१२-३४६-२॥
All the relatives of that nāga—his brothers, sons, and wife—having come together in unity, went towards that brāhmaṇa. (12-346-2)
तेऽपश्यन्पुलिने तं वै विविक्ते नियतव्रतम्। समासीनं निराहारं द्विजं जप्यपरायणम् ॥१२-३४६-३॥
They saw the twice-born, devoted to recitation, seated without food on the sandbank in a secluded place, steadfast in his vow. (12-346-3)
ते सर्वे समभिक्रम्य विप्रमभ्यर्च्य चासकृत्। ऊचुर्वाक्यमसंदिग्धमातिथेयस्य बान्धवाः ॥१२-३४६-४॥
All of them, having come together and having repeatedly worshipped the Brāhmaṇa, the relatives of the host spoke clear words. (12-346-4)
षष्ठो हि दिवसस्तेऽद्य प्राप्तस्येह तपोधन। न चाभिलषसे किञ्चिदाहारं धर्मवत्सल ॥१२-३४६-५॥
O ascetic, today is the sixth day that you have spent here, and yet, O lover of dharma, you do not desire any food. (12-346-5)
अस्मानभिगतश्चासि वयं च त्वामुपस्थिताः। कार्यं चातिथ्यमस्माभिर्वयं सर्वे कुटुम्बिनः ॥१२-३४६-६॥
You have come to us, and we are present before you; it is our duty, as householders, to offer hospitality. (12-346-6)
मूलं फलं वा पर्णं वा पयो वा द्विजसत्तम। आहारहेतोरन्नं वा भोक्तुमर्हसि ब्राह्मण ॥१२-३४६-७॥
O Brāhmaṇa, best of the twice-born, you are worthy to eat root, fruit, leaf, milk, or food for the sake of sustenance. (12-346-7)
त्यक्ताहारेण भवता वने निवसता सता। बालवृद्धमिदं सर्वं पीड्यते धर्मसङ्कटात् ॥१२-३४६-८॥
Because you, having given up food and living righteously in the forest, all these—children and elders—are suffering due to the hardship of dharma. (12-346-8)
न हि नो भ्रूणहा कश्चिद्राजापथ्योऽनृतोऽपि वा। पूर्वाशी वा कुले ह्यस्मिन्देवतातिथिबन्धुषु ॥१२-३४६-९॥
Indeed, among us, there is no one who is a killer of an embryo, nor anyone born of royal lineage who is untruthful, nor anyone who has eaten before others, nor among our family, deities, guests, or relatives. (12-346-9)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said:
उपदेशेन युष्माकमाहारोऽयं मया वृतः। द्विरूनं दशरात्रं वै नागस्यागमनं प्रति ॥१२-३४६-१०॥
By my instruction, your food has been restricted. For eight nights, until the serpent's arrival. (12-346-10)
यद्यष्टरात्रे निर्याते नागमिष्यति पन्नगः। तदाहारं करिष्यामि तन्निमित्तमिदं व्रतम् ॥१२-३४६-११॥
If, after eight nights have passed, the serpent desires food, then I will provide food; for this reason, I have taken this vow. (12-346-11)
कर्तव्यो न च सन्तापो गम्यतां च यथागतम्। तन्निमित्तं व्रतं मह्यं नैतद्भेत्तुमिहार्हथ ॥१२-३४६-१२॥
The duty must be performed, and there should be no affliction; let it pass away as it has come. For that reason, this vow is mine; you ought not to break it here. (12-346-12)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
तेन ते समनुज्ञाता ब्राह्मणेन भुजङ्गमाः। स्वमेव भवनं जग्मुरकृतार्था नरर्षभ ॥१२-३४६-१३॥
O best of men, thus permitted by the brāhmaṇa, the serpents, unsuccessful in their purpose, went to their own abode. (12-346-13)
